Second harmonic generation and self frequency doubling laser materials comprised of bulk germanosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses

Abstract

A method for preparing a material so as to exhibit second harmonic generation for optical radiation that passes through the material. The method includes a first step of providing a bulk glass comprised of substitutionally doped silica and a charge transfer dopant. The bulk glass is prepared for frequency doubling in accordance with a method that includes a step of irradiating the bulk glass with optical radiation having a first wavelength and a second wavelength, the bulk glass being irradiated for a period of time sufficient to obtain a desired amount of conversion efficiency of the first wavelength into the second wavelength. The silica is substitutionally doped with an element selected from the group consisting of Ge and Al, and the charge transfer dopant is selected from the group consisting of Ce 3+ , Nd 3+ , and Eu 2+ . In another embodiment of the invention the silica is substitutionally doped with Ge and the charge transfer dopant is comprised of naturally existing Ge defects. The bulk glass may be provided as a monolithic body, a preform, a coating, a layer, or as a film. Optical devices incorporating a bulk glass SHG converter and self-frequency doubling glass lasers are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A three dimensional solid medium that supports a plurality of optically-induced permanent gratings, each of said optically-induced permanent gratings being capable of having a period that differs from a period of others of said optically-induced permanent gratings, wherein said medium is comprised of a silicate glass that includes a charge transfer system. 
     
     
       2. A three dimensional solid medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said medium further includes a stabilizing means for stabilizing a charge pinning that occurs in said silicate glass that includes said charge transfer system. 
     
     
       3. A three dimensional solid medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said medium is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of SG:Al/Ce 3+ , SG:Al/Eu 2+ , SG:Ge/Ce 3+ , SG:Ge/Nd 3+ , SG:Ce 3+ , SG:Eu 2+ , SG:Nd 3+ , SG:Ge/Ge defect, and combinations thereof, where SG is a silicate glass. 
     
     
       4. A three dimensional solid medium that supports a plurality of optically-induced Φ.sup.(2) gratings, each of said optically-induced χ.sup.(2) gratings being capable of having a period that differs from a period of others of said optically-induced χ.sup.(2) gratings, wherein said medium is comprised of a silicate glass that includes a charge transfer system. 
     
     
       5. A three dimensional solid medium as set forth in claim 4, wherein said medium further includes a stabilizing means for stabilizing a charge pinning that occurs in said silicate glass that includes said charge transfer system. 
     
     
       6. A three dimensional solid medium as set forth in claim 4, wherein said medium is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essential of SG:Al/Ce 3+ , SG:Al/Eu 2+ , SG:Ge/Ce 3+ , SG:Ge/Nd 3+ , SG:Ce 3+ , thereof, where SG is a silicate glass. 
     
     
       7. A three dimensional solid medium that supports a plurality of optically-induced χ.sup.(2) gratings, said medium being comprised of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of G:Al/Ce 3+ , G:Al/Eu 2+ , G:Ge/Ce 3+ , G:Ge/Nd 3+ , G:Ce 3+ , G:Eu 2+ , G:Nd 3+ , G:Ge/Ge defect, and combinations thereof, where G is a glass, wherein each of said optically-induced χ.sup.(2) gratings is capable of having a period that differs from a period of others of said optically-induced χ.sup.(2) gratings. 
     
     
       8. A three dimensional solid medium as set forth in claim 7, wherein said medium further includes a stabilizing means for stabilizing a charge pinning that occurs in said glass that includes said charge transfer system.